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YATZ Updates on the Regent Honeyeaters

YATZ Updates on the Regent Honeyeaters

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12/04/2015When you head down to Victoria you don't expect the diverse range of native wildlife. There is a large variety of Gang Gang Cockatoos, all kinds of rosellas, kites, eagles and wonderful signs of wombats and wallabies. As we set out early in the morning after a wake up temperature of 4 degrees, we headed out on the bus towards the site which would soon hold many regent honeyeaters in only a few short days. After a struggle setting up the tents for the birds in windy conditions we managed to complete our first obstacle. Shortly after, we continued to set up the smaller details including adding tree structures inside the tents for the birds to perch on, and tarps over the tents to protect the tiny Regent Honeyeaters from any birds of prey. With spare time on our hands we decided to explore the area. We were able to successfully identify many tracks in the mudbank along the river including kangaroos, wallabies and unfortunately feral dogs. After coming to the end of our bushwalk we noticed the amazing grace of a wedge tailed eagle circling overhead. From all these moments we get to appreciate the true natural beauty of Australia.

By Billy and Faye - YATZ

13/04/2015After another early morning wake up it was a short drive from camp to the site where the Regent Honeyeaters were due to arrive. After a short forage we had handfuls of native flowers place in the release tents. Regent Honeyeaters love the nectar from native flowering species. BirdLife Australia joined us to place the trackers and bird "backpacks" on the regents. With time to spare some of the YATZ took the extra opportunity to discover some of the bush around the site while testing their tracking skills. These YATZ were able to track multiple wombat trails, burrows and skate. While on the way we managed to spot lots of native birds, wallabies and signs of echidnas. We returned back to the release site to watch the birds being and placed in their tents where they will stay for two more nights until release on Tuesday. We wandered back to the bush in the hope of sighting the wombat and stayed till late dusk camping in trees waiting and watching. Though we didn't manage to find a wombat we gladly saw the "Chiltern golden mouse", also commonly known as the Yellow Footed Antechinus. On our way back we spotted four sugar gliders high up in the canopy of the trees,. All in all, another amazing day filled with great experiences.